All cases
Statue of Christ Decapitated and Vandalized
June 5, 2020, SpainIn the early morning hours of June 4, unknown individuals assaulted the monument dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in La Roda de Andalucía and broke the face and hands of the image to pieces.
Catholic Seminary Defaced During "Black Lives Matter Vienna" Rally
June 5, 2020, AustriaA "Black Lives Matter Vienna" protest on June 5th led to anti-church demonstrations and vandalism at a seminary near the US embassy in Vienna-Alsergrund, according to the seminary director. The outer wall was extensively smeared with graffiti and defaced, and he reported the resulting financial damage to the police.
Saint-Joseph Parish Church Vandalized
June 4, 2020, FranceAt the end of the first week of June, broken glass was discovered in a corridor of the parish church of Schœneck caused by the throwing of a large stone of about one kilo against a church window. The projectile had been thrown from outside the church and loosened the metal frame of the masonry. In front of the entrance to the crypt, the impact of a projectile against a window pane caused a crack that spanned its entire length. Another window was broken in the sacristy. Additionally, the large metal entrance gate at the side of the grotto of the Virgin was damaged, and two crossbars were twisted and torn off.
Fire Set in Bockhorst Church
June 4, 2020, GermanyUnknown perpetrators set fire to an altar cloth and an organ book in the Maria von der immerwährenden Hilfe (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) church in Bockhorst at around 5:00 p.m. on May 29th. The fire was extinguished promptly by the person who discovered the fire. Property damage of several thousand euros was incurred.
Large Altar Bible Stolen from Church
June 4, 2020, GermanyUnknown people stole a large altar bible with a golden cover from the Protestant church on Rüdesheimer Langstraße in Rüdesheim sometime between June 3rd and 4th.
Vandalism and Theft at the Church of Heuilley-Cotton
June 3, 2020, FranceBetween June 3rd and 4th, one or more people broke into the Saint-Loup church of Heuilley-Cotton to steal the "begging angel" (l'ange quêteur) donation box. It was found outside the church completely broken and emptied of its contents.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Destroyed in Cameri
June 3, 2020, ItalyOn the night of the 3rd to 4th of June, the Statue of the Virgin Mary of the Library of Cameri was destroyed by unknown vandals. The Statue rested on the courtyard of the library, in a niche. The perpetrator took it out and threw it out into the street, breaking it into pieces.
Hildburghäuser Church Set on Fire
May 31, 2020, GermanyA child set fire to 47 sites in the cycle path and pilgrim of St. Wigbert church in Häselrieth. Twenty-five emergency personnel of the fire brigade quickly extinguished the fire.
Politician Insulted With References to Christianity
May 30, 2020, PolandDuring the night of the 30th May, posters appeared at bus stops in Warsaw insulting the minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, his family, and work. On the posters the minister is portrayed wearing the traditional costume of the Order of Knights of Malta and it says, "The Gospel according to Lukasz Szum". On the posters, there were also charges and slogans against the Minister of Law and Justice about false Covid-19 Statistics and regulations.
Devastation and Theft of Crosses in Cemetery in Poland
May 29, 2020, PolandOn the 29th of May, the community cemetery of Wieliczka was devastated by a 28-year-old man. He was found on the next morning driving his bike drunk. The police noticed that his bag contained several metal crosses. The crosses were stolen from the cemetery, where he torn off the objects from the gravestones. He was charged with 8 years of prison.
Church Falsely Accused of Spreading COVID-19 Virus
May 28, 2020, GermanyAfter many COVID-19 cases have been detected among the worshipers of the Bremerhavan Pentecostal church, the crisis management team warned of discrimination against believers. However, it was made clear that the infections have been through family and social contacts. The church defended itself and stated having a coherent hygienic procedure. The mayor complained, that the accusation was a discrimination act against believers.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated and Thrown to the Ground
May 28, 2020, ItalyOn the 28th May, an unknown vandal or vandals decapitated the Statue of the Madonna in the town of Rosta, Turin. The statue was found thrown on the ground and beheaded. The Mayor himself condemned this act of vandalism.
Four Graves, Including that of a Priest, Vandalized in Village Cemetery
May 27, 2020, FranceFour graves in the village cemetery of Saint-Pierre-de-Rivière were damaged during the night between May 26th and 27th by unknown vandals. Among those graves was that of Emile Genès, who had returned his native village after a long priestly life in the Paris region.
St. Martin Church Vandalized
May 26, 2020, GermanyRioters vandalized and damaged the church and broken into the parish hall several times. The parish of St.Martin in Obsentrautstadt has invested around 20,000 euros in safety technology such as alarm systems and fire alarm to protect the church and prevent further damage.
Christians Against the New Biotechnology Law
May 26, 2020, NorwayOn the 26th of May, a new Biotechnology law was passed to allow an early ultrasound on the foetus, which can show the physical or mental disadvantages of the baby. Also, the donation of eggs has been made legal and the artificial insemination of single women is now allowed at the expense of the state. The Christian Democratic Party was against this law because the early knowledge about the disability of a foetus could lead to discrimination of the child by being aborted. In Norway, abortion is legal up to the week 12 of pregnancy.
Vandalism of Church Sanctuary for Second Time
May 25, 2020, ItalyIn Cassino, probably during the night of the 23rd May, the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Ascension in San Michele was vandalized for the second time. One of the stone benches had been uprooted and broken in several parts. The community wants to install a video surveillance system.
LGBT Activist Organization Accused Christian Pro-Life Moment of Hate Speech
May 25, 2020, ItalyThe Pro-Life organisation has been accused of Hate Speech for collecting signatures against the new Homo and Transphobic law. The fear is that Christian institutions, organisations, or Christians themselves, particularly those who are against abortion or homosexual marriage, could be sanctioned up to four years of imprisonment. This could, therefore, lead to restriction of freedom of expression and speech.
Saint-Arthémy Church Vandalized in Coteaux-du-Blanzacais
May 24, 2020, FranceThe Saint-Arthémy de Blanzac church in the town of Coteaux-du-Blanzacais was the target of acts of vandalism over the weekend of May 23rd and 24th.
Repeated Vandalism of The Figure of Jesus
May 24, 2020, SpainThe figure of Jesus in Andujar was vandalized several times. This already happened in 2013, 2017, and in 2019, where it was completely destroyed. In May 2020, it was finally restored by two artists.
Alsace: Two Vandalized Churches in Munster
May 23, 2020, FranceThe Catholic and Protestant churches, an ambulance company, the railway station, two banks and a sports complex were vandalized on the night of 22nd to 23rd May in Munster in le Haut-Rhin. Tags such as "Anarchie vaincera" (Anarchy will win) and the number "666" spray-painted in color were found. These damaging acts shocked and dismayed the inhabitants of the peaceful little town nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Vosges mountains. The gendarmerie launched an appeal for witnesses to find the perpetrators.